PHOTO GREG BEACHAM, ASSOCIATED PRESS ARCHIVES
Dallas Eakins, coach of the Anaheim Ducks, and Bob Murray, director
The trainer on an ejection seat
Mathias Brunet: Dallas Eakins, Anaheim Ducks
The Ducks were patient. They waited until the end of the season before firing him, despite a 23-47-12 record. Maybe they wanted to keep him to ensure they finished in the bottom of the rankings…
Katherine Harvey-Pinard: Lindy Ruff, New Jersey Devils
Lindy Ruff started last season to boos during the Devils’ home opener. He finished among the contenders for the Jack Adams Trophy. Solid.
Richard Labbé: Sheldon Keefe, Toronto Maple Leafs
Just because a prediction didn’t come true doesn’t mean it wasn’t good, and also, I don’t know why this guy still has a job.
Guillaume Lefrançois: Dallas Eakins, Anaheim Ducks
In my eyes, a coach on an ejection seat cannot exceed 1er December. Eakins surrendered in mid-April. Not so bad.
Simon-Olivier Lorange: Sheldon Keefe, Toronto Maple Leafs
His new two-year contract proves me wrong, but things were brewing in Toronto at the start of the season. I could have done worse.
Alexandre Pratt: Lindy Ruff, New Jersey Devils
I was right. Expectations were high. Except that the Devils filled them.
PHOTO MATT KROHN, USA TODAY SPORTS ARCHIVES
On the right, Jack Eichel, of the Golden Knights, on the left, Frédérick Gaudreau, of the Minnesota Wild
The player under pressure
Mathias Brunet as Jack Eichel
Eichel was under pressure and he responded. The Golden Knights won the first Stanley Cup in their short history and Eichel had 26 points in 22 playoff games. Mission accomplished !
Katherine Harvey-Pinard as Jonathan Huberdeau
Huberdeau was the first to admit that he had a first season in Calgary that fell short of expectations. Things didn’t click between him and Darryl Sutter, who was fired at the end of the season. Let’s see how it goes this year.
Richard Labbé as Johnny Gaudreau
There was pressure on Gaudreau, and Gaudreau was under pressure, as a result. Successful prediction.
Guillaume Lefrançois as Jack Eichel
“When I opened The Press+ that October morning, I spat out my oatmeal. Lefrançois’ prediction was the spark I needed. »
– Jack Eichel, Stanley Cup champion
Simon-Olivier Lorange: Jack Eichel
In my own words: “Eichel, like Mark Stone, will need to be at the top of his game to avoid a second playoff-less season. » It ended well.
Alexander Pratt as Matt Murray
Ilya Samsonov has become the Leafs’ number one goaltender.
The best contract of the off-season
Mathias Brunet as Patrice Bergeron
A godsend, indeed! Bergeron concluded his final career season with 27 goals, 58 points and the Bruins won a record 65 regular season games. The only downside was the elimination in the first round.
Katherine Harvey-Pinard as Nick Paul
Well, OK, maybe I went too far when I said this was the best contract of the off-season. That said, I still think his contract looks good. Paul had a more difficult end to the season in terms of production, but his impact goes beyond that.
Richard Labbé: Claude Giroux
He had 79 points in 82 games with the Senators. Another prediction in the win column.
PHOTO SEAN KILPATRICK, CANADIAN PRESS ARCHIVES
Josh Norris
Guillaume Lefrançois as Josh Norris
The 74 games that Norris spent in the infirmary saved him from countless hits. Basically, this contract is even more advantageous today.
Simon-Olivier Lorange: Patrice Bergeron
I’m not changing my mind. He was at the heart of a historic season for the Boston Bruins with a base salary of 2.5 million.
Alexandre Pratt as Johnny Gaudreau
He scored 22 more points than any other Jackets player. He was not the source of his team’s problems last season.
Worst contract of the off-season
Mathias Brunet as Nazem Kadri
Kadri returned to normal with 56 points and the Flames missed the playoffs.
Katherine Harvey-Pinard as Ondrej Palat
Palat suffered an injury early in the season and only played in 49 games last season, recording 23 points. My reservations regarding his 6 million contract for five years persist.
PHOTO JASON FRANSON, CANADIAN PRESS ARCHIVES
Jack Campbell, Edmonton Oilers goaltender
Richard Labbé: Jack Campbell
He had his job stolen by a mustachioed guy not even 25 years old, and his percentage rate (.888) confirms that 5 million dollars per season is about 3 million too much.
Guillaume Lefrançois as Darcy Kuemper
This prediction was based on Kuemper’s poor health and surprisingly, it was Tom Wilson, John Carlson, T. J. Oshie and Nicklas Backstrom who got into trouble.
Simon-Olivier Lorange: Ville Husso
Without being less good than his team, he was not good at all. I thank him for making me look good.
Alexandre Pratt as Erik Gudbranson
A prediction that has aged well: 1 goal in 70 games, and a differential of -24.
The most overrated team
Mathias Brunet: Minnesota Wild
The Wild had a good season. He finished third in his section, with 103 points, but 10 fewer than the previous season. He lost in the first round as in 2022.
Katherine Harvey-Pinard: Toronto Maple Leafs
At least they finally made it to the second round of the playoffs.
Richard Labbé: Toronto Maple Leafs
And guess what? They confirmed this self-made prediction with another quick release in the spring.
Guillaume Lefrançois: Washington Capitals
Clearly, I carried them in my heart, the Capitals…
Simon-Olivier Lorange: Edmonton Oilers
I persist and sign. Such an ordinary team defensively can hardly aspire to great honors.
Alexander Pratt: Boston Bruins
Next question.
The Cinderella team
Mathias Brunet: Columbus Blue Jackets
This one hurts. Columbus finished in the depths of the NHL. And nothing promises more success this year, unless there is a surprise…
Katherine Harvey-Pinard: Ottawa Senators
Yes N. Not my best, that one. I expected better from the Senators.
Richard Labbé: Ottawa Senators
So close…
Guillaume Lefrançois: Detroit Red Wings
Yes, no.
Simon-Olivier Lorange: New York Islanders
It took them 82 games, but the Islanders made it to the playoffs. It’s better than nothing.
Alexandre Pratt: Los Angeles Kings
They finished with 104 points. I wasn’t far away.